— Sunday Morning
Brooks
Here I sit in the middle of Africa...and in many ways it's not that different than being in the middle of the U.S. It's Sunday morning and one by one some of the Believers from all over Kitale town come drifting into the church that meets at Dawson and Elizabeth's house. Roger is playing a keyboard propped up on a chair, Dawson is strumming his guitar, Jenny is rocking back and forth singing her heart out, Kenny 's head is bobbing up and down as only a Black man can, as he keeps rhythm to the music, and David's hands are beating on his legs as his feet pump up and down to the music. The children with bright grins are excited as they see their friends come into the yard, then, they quickly scurry into the bedroom to find toys and games to play with.
As each one comes in, when they see my white face, some of them quite easily slip from Swahili into English, shake my hand and then kiss me on each cheek. The women either sit down to worship or go into the kitchen area to help start preparing what will later be our lunch. Each of the women is carefully dressed in a long skirt and suit top, and, of course, the very carefully plaited or wigged hair. The men have suits, ties, or at a minimum long-sleeved shirts and dress pants and black shoes. Thankfully, they are tolerant of Roger's short-sleeved shirt, jeans and sneakers and my short (below knee) length skirt and wild, frizzy hair!
Definitely gets my vote for "Best Dressed":
After awhile we are gathered as the circle is closed in and there are now about 35 to 40 of us adults, noticeably more men than women, sitting on chairs, or the floor, or standing in the dining area or living room, with some of the children hanging out with us, some for the whole time. The music continues-sometimes in Swahili, sometimes in English-back and forth, depending on who happens to gently lead into the next song. Then one of the men announces he has a word of encouragement from the Book of Colossians to share with us and so the morning goes. And it's good. As it says in 1 Corinthians 14:26, we are all being built up as we sing, and are taught, and are strengthened by special revelations that God gives to each. Small children encircle a few of the big, tall men--some of them missionaries into the Sudan, Uganda and other regions in Africa. Then they begin to pray for them. Then the sick are prayed for; we all share in the Lord's supper; and then from the little they have, these people give their tithes to send one of their own to start a new church plant in a region on the coast of Kenya.
And, finally it's lunch-time! By now it's 2:30 and the gals bring in the huge pots of ugali, broth with beef, and cabbage they've been cooking over the coals in the backyard most of the morning. I think now there are about 25 kids as well as all of the adults and a few neighbors as well. It has been a good day in Kenya. I hope it has been a good day wherever you are as well.
After awhile we are gathered as the circle is closed in and there are now about 35 to 40 of us adults, noticeably more men than women, sitting on chairs, or the floor, or standing in the dining area or living room, with some of the children hanging out with us, some for the whole time. The music continues-sometimes in Swahili, sometimes in English-back and forth, depending on who happens to gently lead into the next song. Then one of the men announces he has a word of encouragement from the Book of Colossians to share with us and so the morning goes. And it's good. As it says in 1 Corinthians 14:26, we are all being built up as we sing, and are taught, and are strengthened by special revelations that God gives to each. Small children encircle a few of the big, tall men--some of them missionaries into the Sudan, Uganda and other regions in Africa. Then they begin to pray for them. Then the sick are prayed for; we all share in the Lord's supper; and then from the little they have, these people give their tithes to send one of their own to start a new church plant in a region on the coast of Kenya.
And, finally it's lunch-time! By now it's 2:30 and the gals bring in the huge pots of ugali, broth with beef, and cabbage they've been cooking over the coals in the backyard most of the morning. I think now there are about 25 kids as well as all of the adults and a few neighbors as well. It has been a good day in Kenya. I hope it has been a good day wherever you are as well.
As some of you know, I keep a collection of toilet photos from interesting places in the world. I rather liked this one from our room at the Bliss Hotel to add to my collection. There's nothing particularly spectacular about it, but it does confirm my opinion that when there is no toilet seat, it's got to knock off at least a good 10 minutes of cleaning time! And, when the shower is part of the bathroom itself, hey that's got to eliminate who knows how much time???
It's been a great day today, being with Kenyan Believers, teaching them and being taught by them. And it's been good to come home to the Bliss Hotel. I have to giggle, though, as I think about the chickens, which will be cluck, clucking away to each other very early tomorrow morning outside my window. Also, unfortunately, I guess one more skinny, little chicken will be contributing to our dinner tomorrow night as well! 
